ALFRAN becomes part of the Aceros Inoxidables Olarra family thanks to the concession of the maintenance contract for the steel plant that the entity has in Vizcaya, País Vasco (Spain). With this agreement, ALFRAN will carry out all the tasks related to refractory materials in the main operating units of the plant, such as ladles, AOD equipment, electric furnace, tundish, etc. Achieving better performance both in plant productivity and in worker’s health and safety.
In 2024, Alfran Saudi Arabia took an important step in its expansion and consolidation in the region with its first repair and maintenance project at Jubail Energy Services Company (JESCO), a key player in Saudi Arabia’s energy industry. This project not only marked a milestone in terms of our presence in a strategic market but also demonstrated the technical capabilities and excellence of our refractory materials in highly demanding industrial environments, such as reheating furnaces.
At Alfran, we share all the details of Alfran Saudi Arabia’s project for JESCO, from the technical challenges encountered to the innovative solutions implemented. We also analyze the crucial role of the collaboration between Alfran and JESCO, which proved to be a model of success in project execution, and how this achievement strengthens Alfran’s position in the energy sector and other key industrial sectors. This project reinforces our commitment to excellence and innovation in the installation of refractory materials for the most demanding industries.
Thanks to our expertise in the design, manufacturing, and installation of refractory materials, we were able to deliver an effective solution, optimizing performance and ensuring the durability of the equipment. The success of this project has been a key factor in driving our expansion and building long-term relationships with major industrial players in the Middle East.
The Alfran Saudi Arabia project for JESCO was developed in a context of high demand for efficient and durable industrial solutions. JESCO, one of the leading companies in Saudi Arabia’s energy sector, continuously faces the challenge of maintaining its infrastructure in optimal conditions to ensure the stability of its energy production. The reheating furnace at this plant plays a critical role in this process, as it ensures the quality of treated materials and optimizes operational efficiency.
The choice of Alfran for this project highlights our reputation as a reliable supplier of refractory materials in the energy sector. Our experience in highly complex projects and the trust JESCO placed in us to carry out the maintenance of its reheating furnace reflect the level of quality and specialization we offer to our clients. This project not only showcases our technical capabilities but also our ability to adapt to the specific needs of each client, a hallmark of Alfran across all areas of operation.
The main objective of the project was to ensure the efficient and safe operation of JESCO’s reheating furnace. These furnaces are vital for the material heating process, and their proper functioning is crucial for maintaining quality standards and energy efficiency at the plant.
By installing high-performance refractory materials, the furnace could operate at higher temperatures, extend the lifespan of the installations, and reduce the need for frequent maintenance. This resulted in a significant improvement in production times and optimization of operating costs, both key factors for any company in the energy sector.
For this project, specially designed refractory materials were used to withstand the high temperatures and abrasion conditions typical of reheating furnaces. Among the most notable solutions were Alfran Tix 85 AS (dense castable) and Alfran Lite 10-14 (insulating castable), applied in the areas most exposed to extreme thermal conditions. These refractory materials are known for their high resistance to thermal shock, ensuring efficient furnace performance over extended periods while minimizing the risk of failures and the need for frequent maintenance.
One of the challenges was ensuring compatibility between the applied refractory materials and the specific operating conditions of the furnace. Thanks to Alfran’s extensive experience and technical expertise, solutions were adapted to ensure that the selected refractory materials were the most suitable for the industrial process. Continuous supervision and adjustments made throughout the project enabled us to successfully overcome these challenges.
Alfran offers specialized refractory solutions for the maintenance in lime furnaces, vertical cylinder or Maerz type. Our services include opening and closing inspection doors, scaffolding, demolition and cleaning, supply and installation of refractory materials.
We have a range of refractory castables, specially designed for lime furnaces, which can be installed by vibrocasting, such as ABR Clean + or by gunning, such as CAST 80 GL, in addition to our wide range of insulating castables.
We are available to our customers in the lime sector, to offer them, as we have done for more than 100 years, our Solutions in High Industrial Temperature.
The new global crisis originated by the Covid-19 has changed the world as we knew it. Now, the priority is to reduce the number of people involved in the installation process, to have enough distance between them, and to reduce the working time, to avoid risks of spreading the disease.
In this sense, Alfran recommends the best solution to install dense refractory castables: Alfranjet Shotcrete Technology. Alfran is #1 with Shotcrete Technology through its patented Alfranjet®, with more than 25 years of experience and worldwide references in Cement, Steel and Energy industries among others.
Alfran is a specialist in designing, supplying and installing refractories for aluminum melting furnaces.
We have a wide range of refractory castables, such as Tix-80 NW, Drytech 85 AL, Tix 55AL or Cast-60AL, among others, specially designed for the aluminium industry, as well as our insulating castables, Lite 10/14 and Lite 106. We carry out new construction or maintenance projects. On the other hand, another company of Grupo Aldomer, Intec-Heat is specialized in the drying of refractories, in this type of furnaces.
We are available to our customers in the aluminum industry, to offer them, as we have done for more than 100 years, our Solutions in High Industrial Temperature.
Within the power generation industry, Alfran offers detailed engineering solutions for refractory materials supply, installation and drying for biomass boilers.
From Alfran´s Technical, Operations and Sales Departments and with the support of another company of the Group, Intec-Heat, for the drying of the refractory, we provide turnkey solutions.
Our dense refractory castables, such as Tix 35 SiC or Cast 35 SiC, as well as the insulating refractory castable, Alfran Lite 10/14, are ideal for these biomass boilers.
We are available to our customers to offer, as we have done for over 100 years, our Industrial High Temperature Solutions.
The WRA (World Refractory Association) has uploaded a video explaining the importance of refractory materials in our day to day. It is a very illustrative video for those people who do not know the strategic aspects of this sector.
Let’s take the example of a car: it is made with steel, copper, glass, aluminum and plastics, among others. These materials are manufactured at very high temperatures. For example, iron is melted in an oven and transformed into steel by processes that reach 2,000 °C. In order that the walls of the furnace are not affected by these temperatures, they have a coating of refractory material. In the same way, these coatings are also used for the manufacture of glass, copper, aluminum and plastics.
It starts from diverse raw materials of alumina or magnesia base that are baked in special ovens up to 1,800ºC, and this process makes the refractory properties appear. The refractory material can be supplied as non-conformed or shaped.
The refractory material is transported and installed in the facilities of our customers. For the installation, a specialized refractory company is required.
The life time of the coatings usually depends on the industry, since they work at different temperatures. In the steel industry, the material usually lasts from a few hours to a few weeks, while in the glass industry it can last up to 10 years.
Once the coating has worn out, it is removed and recycled when possible.
The refractory industry covers the entire cycle, from the extraction of raw materials, to recycling.
Visit the WRA website (World Refractory Association) by clicking here.
